Firewood in Phelan, CA

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Tips & Advice

How to stack firewood in a fireplace

The best way to stack wood in a fireplace for a fire is pretty simple. First, gather the kindling in the middle, you can even use rolled up newspaper. Next, stack your wood in a perpendicular formation. Place two logs next to the kindling, then stack two more (you can use more) on top and perpendicular to them. Make sure to keep plenty of space between them to maximize oxygen flow, which is essential to a good fire. If you are adding a third level, make sure they are a bit closer together for each level up. It’s doubtful your fireplace can handle anything larger than that.

How should you stack firewood for storage

To stack wood for storage, the first thing to do is make sure it is elevated off the ground by at least a few inches. Something like a standard pallet laid flat is ideal. You can also build something out of very basic materials, like wood planks and cinder blocks. Make sure the wood is not sitting up against anything, like a wall. Try to keep it at least five feet away from your house to prevent bugs and spiders that inhabit unseasoned wood from having easy access to your house. It also promotes air circulation to accelerate the drying or seasoning process. Cover the top with a tarp or something similar to shield it from rain and snow, but leave the ends open to promote circulation.

What is the best size for firewood?

Firewood is ideally cut into approximately 16 inches in length. This is a standard size for cords of wood. A cord of wood, properly stacked, will measure 4 x 4 x 8 and be 128 cubic feet in total. Nearly any indoor (or outdoor) fireplace can accommodate 16 inch lengths of wood. They are also an easy size to move and stack for just about anyone of any size.

How much does it cost to have firewood stacked?

There is not a standard market rate for stacking firewood; it is going to depend on where you live. If you are having a cord of wood delivered, check to see if delivery includes stacking. Chances are it doesn’t, but they might do it for a nominal fee. Figure minimum wage for a job, whatever that is where you live.

How can you tell if firewood is seasoned?

Seasoned wood is lighter, due to the loss of moisture, so weight is one way to check. However, if you’re like most people and don’t actually weigh your wood, fear not; there are other ways. Check the bark--is it dry and easy to strip off? Dried bark chips off easily versus saturated bark. Smell is another key way. Unseasoned wood will smell stronger than seasoned wood. As the wood dries and dies out, there is less opportunity for anything to emit odor. Seasoned logs will appear less colorful and more faded, as any pigments dissolve and the wood fades naturally.

What is seasoned wood?

Seasoning firewood is a fancy term for drying it out. Fresh wood can have up to a 50 percent water content, which makes it hard to burn, smokey, and can wreak havoc on your chimney. Seasoning dries out the wood and gets it down to 20 percent or less water content, making it perfect for quick and clean burning. Seasoning also dries up the saps and other contents that bugs love--so the drier your wood, the fewer pests hanging around it. Softer woods can take up to a year to season, while harder woods can take a year to more. Obviously wood will dry faster in the summer months, so that is the best time to get started seasoning it.

How much does firewood cost?

Firewood is generally sold in “cords.” A cord of wood is 128 cubic feet (4 x 4 x 8). When it is cut and split, a cord is usually stacked about 4 feet high, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. Costs vary around the country, but, in general, you can find cords in your area for around $120- $180. There are variables, of course, such as type of wood, market rates, and delivery costs. Some sellers offer a “face cord,” which can be one-third as deep and a full cord and obviously less volume – so be aware of this tactic and get specifics up front. Also, you will very likely pay a premium during the winter months, versus buying in the spring or summer, so get ahead of the game and plan accordingly.

Where should firewood be stored?

First, firewood should not be stored inside your home. Bring wood in when you are ready to burn it, but do not store it in the home. Firewood should be stored outdoors, at least 5 feet from your homes foundation, ideally in the sun if that is an option. You wood should be stacked properly and elevated off the ground, like on pallets, to aid in drying it out, and to minimize rotting. The further from the house the better, especially for wet wood, which can attract an assortment of bugs and creatures attracted to the sap. Away from other trees is also ideal. Make sure your stack is not up against anything, you want space around the wood to allow maximum air circulation to enhance drying. Keep the top covered to prevent rain and snow from saturating the wood, and keeping the ends open to increase circulation.

How long does it take for firewood to dry out?

For softwoods, once you have cut, split, and stacked your wood, it will take approximately six months to a year for it to dry out, depending on where you live. Hardwoods will take longer, up to two years. Colder, wetter climates can slow the drying process, while warmer, drier areas will accelerate it. Heavier woods will take longer while softer woods will dry faster. All of this is assuming your wood is properly stacked and stored.

What are the different types of firewood?

Firewood can generally be broken down into hardwoods and softwoods. Hardwood is more dense and heavy, while softwood is less dense, lighter, and burns faster. The types of firewood available to you will usually depend on where you live, as all trees are not native to all areas. The top 22 types of firewood are: Apple, Ash, Birch, Cherry, Hawthorne, Maple, Oak, Pine, Sycamore, Walnut, Yew, Black Locust, American Beech, Ironwood, Hickory, American Elm, Tamarack, Aspen, Cottonwood, Spruce, and Western Red Cedar. Wherever you live, there are probably a couple of options available to you, particularly those living in more forested regions. Of course, anything can be delivered.